Metastatic Breast Cancer Presenting as Acute Appendicitis

Cureus. 2022 Oct 19;14(10):e30456. doi: 10.7759/cureus.30456. eCollection 2022 Oct.

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Australia. With the development in screening, diagnosis, and treatment, people are living longer with metastatic disease of the breast. This malignancy commonly metastasizes to the lung, brain, bone, and liver. However, due to the increased survival of patients living with breast cancer, metastases may present with complications that have not been seen before. We describe a case of a 55-year-old female with a background of metastatic breast cancer to the brain who presented to the emergency department with acute appendicitis. At surgery, a malignant mass was found in the cecum obstructing the appendix, and histopathology revealed metastatic breast cancer.

Keywords: acute appendicitis; breast cancer metastasis; cancer survival; general surgery and breast cancer; rare cause of acute abdominal pain.

Publication types

  • Case Reports